Press Releases & Updates 2005

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, has expressed his backing for the action, explaining:

“Britain spends many times more on arms than it does on aid. It is particularly shocking that Britain spends over £1 billion a year on its own nuclear weapons of mass destruction, Trident. That money should go towards liberating people from poverty and war not sustaining weapons of mass slaughter. CND is right to highlight the presence of Trident at Faslane on Monday 4th July, while the G8 leaders prepare to meet at Gleneagles. I wish the blockade every success.”

Amongst those planning to blockade Faslane naval base, which is situated 30 miles west of Glasgow, (approximately 50 miles from Gleneagles) is a broad spectrum of protestors, from Parliamentarians and Church leaders to anti-globalisation activists involved with the Dissent! network.

Delegations of activists from countries including the USA, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Greece are planning to help shut down the base, with many planning to use sophisticated non-violent blockading techniques, including metal piping, chains and passive resistance. A carnival atmosphere is expected, with a 60-strong Samba band from Berlin amongst those expected to take part.

A spokesperson for the Faslane G8 Team, Joss Garman, said:

“On Monday, we will make history by shutting down the home port for Britain’s Weapons of Mass Destruction. Whilst the G8 leaders will talk about ending poverty, we will show how they are creating it through war and the arms trade. You can’t end poverty, unless you also end war.”

He added, “Whilst 80% of the world lives on less than a dollar a day, Britain alone is spending £1.5 billion per year on a useless and illegal relic of the Cold War, and propping up the arms trade to the tune of £900 million per year - fuelling conflict and poverty across the developing world.”

The demonstration, which is scheduled to begin at 7am, is organised by CND and Trident Ploughshares, but is supported by Campaign Against Arms Trade, Stop the War Coalition, Britain’s biggest trade union - UNISON, Scottish TUC and G8 Alternatives. Members of the Clergy, joining the blockade, will hold a religious ceremony in the entrance to the North Gate at noon on Monday.

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